Empowering Women to Protect Themselves: Promoting the Female Condom in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe introduced the female condom in 1997, but acceptance was slow. Eventually, the Government requested support from UNFPA to scale up promotion of both male and female condoms through the public sector.
Barber Shops and Beauty Salons Promote HIV Education in Guyana
Barber shops across Georgetown, Guyana are buzzing with chatter about the latest trends, community happenings, neighborhood gossip and now, ways to protect young people from HIV and AIDS. UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, has identified barber shops and beauty salons as information hubs, and is using them to spread the word about HIV prevention.
Preventing HIV on Mexico's 'Forgotten Border'
Marleny Lopez, an educator with Educavida, maintains regular contact with up to 100 sex workers in the area. In all, nearly 600 of them have been trained in how to prevent infection. “But it is a fluctuating population, so it is hard to know how many work in the area at any given time,” she says.
Taking It to the Streets: Bringing HIV Prevention and Treatment to the Vulnerable Communities in Côte d'Ivoire
“When someone was infected, they used to chase them out of the house,” says Eloise, who was herself diagnosed with HIV in 2004. “We need to help them – their partners leave them, and their families throw them out.”
Banking on the Future: Micro-Credit Leads to Macro-Changes in Tajikistan
On a late afternoon in a small village near the town of Garm a group of women sit cross-legged on the brightly colored padded quilts that are a fixture in all Tajik households. Inside the jamoat, a three-roomed community center, five women discuss micro-credit, HIV, human rights and how the pilot Migrant Wives Project, supported by UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, has transformed their lives.
Protecting their Own: Youth Volunteers in Senegal are a Force for Health
Every week Mamadou Doumboya walks through his village carrying an array of sex education pamphlets, informational videos and condoms. He hands out the pamphlets, shows the videos, and, if anyone is still confused, demonstrates how to wear a condom—using an appropriately shaped piece of wood as a model.
World Aids Day 2007
As we commemorate World AIDS Day we draw attention to the need for strengthened prevention efforts to reduce the impact of AIDS. HIV prevention remains the first line of defense and must be accelerated alongside treatment. Action must be taken towards universal access to prevention, treatment and care.
VCT Clinics Follow "Risk Map" in Egypt
In Al Zarayeb, part of the Manshiyat Nasser district in Cairo, trash is a treasured source of income. While sorting through the garbage, fingers get pricked – often by discarded syringes and other sharp objects – exposing people to hepatitis and other infections, including HIV.
Sierra Leone Women Protect Themselves Against HIV
For Mariama Bangura, the peace that followed a decade of bloody civil war in Sierra Leone was almost as devastating as the conflict itself. “I was captured by the [rebel] soldiers and taken away for five months,” said Mariama, whose mother was killed during the brutal fighting. The rebels made her to do all the cooking and fetching of water. She was repeatedly raped by her captors.
Zimbabwe's Biggest Battle-HIV/AIDS
Although not immediately obvious, two-year-old Justin is the victim of gender-based violence. One night just over three years ago, his father returned home, attacked and sexually assaulted his mother, Elizabeth who is now infected with HIV.
Youth Centers Address Needs of Vietnamese Youth
Hoai Anh is adamant about making the right choices in life, particularly when it comes to relationships and the right to have health and family planning information and services tailored to the special needs of young people.
Brazil Launches Plan to Reduce the Drastic Rise of HIV Infections Among
Women HIV infection rates among women in Brazil increased by 44 per cent between 1996 and 2005. Globally and in every region, more women than ever before are now living with